"Let's Connect" Therapeutic Programs & Education Led by Staff
"Let’s Connect" provides a welcoming environment to connect and contribute, to learn and to rebuild life to gain maximum independence. Virtual and in-person drop-in programs provide positive, hopeful, and practical support. Strengthening social networks and re-establishing socially valued roles in leisure. Learn strategies to participate in relationships, roles, valued activities, building a positive self-image, and (re)discovering interests and strengths. There is no charge for the majority of "Let’s Connect" programs; however, there are nominal fees for supplies in programs such as art or carving.
ADVOCACY
Individual advocacy to help meet the needs of an individual with a brain injury in the community. Assistance with programs and services in the community, forms, and applications.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Case management services combine assessment, planning, facilitation, coordination of services and housing, changes to employment, education, evaluation, and support for options and services to best meet client and family needs through communication and assistance to access available resources to promote maximum independence, and optimal recovery.
COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR
Answer questions, help navigate the health care systems, and coach to set goals for programs.
Individual advocacy to help meet the needs of an individual with a brain injury in the community. Assistance with programs and services in the community, forms, and applications.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Case management services combine assessment, planning, facilitation, coordination of services and housing, changes to employment, education, evaluation, and support for options and services to best meet client and family needs through communication and assistance to access available resources to promote maximum independence, and optimal recovery.
COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR
Answer questions, help navigate the health care systems, and coach to set goals for programs.
Education
Introduction to Brain Injury
4-part series offered every other month on Tuesday's from 10:30-11:30 am. Four sessions provide basic information about brain function, how the brain can become injured, the changes that may be expected after injury, and the process of healing and rehabilitation.
TOOLBOX
3-part series offered every other month on Tuesday's from 10:30-11:30am. Three sessions provide tools and strategies based off of brain injury effects explored in Introduction to Brain Injury. Toolbox provides insight on how to maximize healing while minimizing symptoms.
Healing Connections
This program analyzes various brain injury relevant topics each week in a group setting. An overview of the weekly topic is discussed followed by a collaborative approach to solutions and coping strategies.
Let's Get Brain Fit
Every Tuesday from 10-11:30 am over Zoom. Cognitive exercises to stimulate multiple areas of the brain, increasing neuroplasticity and brain health.
Rebuilding After Brain Injury
24-week program teaches the anatomy of the brain, the causes and effects of brain injury, neuroplasticity and rehabilitation after brain injury, coping strategies and the problem-solving process for issues such as:
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Headaches and chronic pain
- Changes in hearing and vision
- Decreased attention and concentration
- Memory problems
- Slowed thinking
- Grieving process
- Depression
- Irritability and anger
- Lack of motivation
- Changes in self identity
Caregiving Support Group
Open to those caring for someone with an acquired brain injury. A chance to connect with others in similar situations and to explore how to best care for yourself while caring for someone else. In person on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, and on Zoom on the 3rd Wednesday evening of the month.
INJURY PREVENTION
Promoting awareness in the community on brain injury and injury prevention through safe practices and correct helmet use. The goal is to reduce the risk of personal injury when engaging activities. For youth, we offer bike rodeos and school presentations; providing safe helmet use instruction in order to decrease injury in sporting activities. For adults, we offer fall prevention presentations and motorized scooter rodeos.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Educating the community on how brain injuries are acquired, the effects of brain injury, and how to serve individuals with brain injury better in community settings. One-hour training sessions are offered to community businesses and organizations upon request.
OUTREACH
Provides support, education and consultation to service providers, families/caregivers and individuals living with acquired brain injuries in the community setting. Hospital visit will be provided when requested and telephone calls can be provided to connect to keep people with brain injury healthy, active, and independent. Peer Outreach by telephone is staying connected and keeping positive – one peer helping another peer.
Promoting awareness in the community on brain injury and injury prevention through safe practices and correct helmet use. The goal is to reduce the risk of personal injury when engaging activities. For youth, we offer bike rodeos and school presentations; providing safe helmet use instruction in order to decrease injury in sporting activities. For adults, we offer fall prevention presentations and motorized scooter rodeos.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Educating the community on how brain injuries are acquired, the effects of brain injury, and how to serve individuals with brain injury better in community settings. One-hour training sessions are offered to community businesses and organizations upon request.
OUTREACH
Provides support, education and consultation to service providers, families/caregivers and individuals living with acquired brain injuries in the community setting. Hospital visit will be provided when requested and telephone calls can be provided to connect to keep people with brain injury healthy, active, and independent. Peer Outreach by telephone is staying connected and keeping positive – one peer helping another peer.
Therapeutic Programs
Programs to provide positive, hopeful, and practical support, strengthening social networks and connecting with others who have a lived understanding of acquired brain injury.
Peer Social
Every Friday from 10-11:30am, peers gather together for coffee and open discussion to connect with one another, occasionally accompanied by a peer-led activity.
Let's Dine Out
Peers, once a month, dining out in a restaurant in the community.
Needlework
An opportunity for clients to work on their current needlework projects or start a new one in a social setting. Assistance by a staff can be provided. Every Tuesday afternoons.
Equine Assisted Learning Led by Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Assn.
Equine Assisted Learning program offers a variety of ground work with horses, building therapeutic relationships, while building teamwork and leadership skills. During the program, many executive functions that can be affected after brain injury are utilized. These executive functions include: planning, organizing, decision making, judgement, and concentration. The program is 12-weeks in length, located at Providence Farms, and is led by certified Equine Assisted Learning instructors. Equine Assisted Learning is open to all CBIS members, caregivers and support systems. Contact us if you would like to register for the Spring session.
Men's Shed Cowichan
Music Therapy
In the realm of music, a wondrous power unfolds, offering profound healing to those burdened with brain injury. Melodies become a beacon of hope, mending the wounded mind and nurturing the soul. Through intricate neural connections, music therapy awakens dormant memories and stimulates cognitive functions, easing language skills, motor coordination, anxiety, and depression. Familiar tunes and harmonious melodies provide solace, transforming the arduous path of rehabilitation into a hopeful journey of progress. Survivors embark on a voyage of resilience, unlocking the beauty of sound to reclaim their lives, as music's symphony of healing echoes in their hearts, testifying to its awe-inspiring impact on the human brain. Click here for more on our regular sessions...